Live 2024 NFL Draft Grades: Round 5

These Live 2024 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2024 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades

Seattle Seahawks: Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn – A+ Grade
Is this the next great Seahawks cornerback to be chosen in the middle rounds? I love the value, as Nehemiah Pritchett easily could have gone in the third round, and maybe even the second. Pritchett can cover tall receivers well, so he fits here for the Seahawks.

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Los Angeles Chargers: Tarheeb Still, CB, Maryland – D Grade
We didn’t have Tarheeb Still ranked. I saw him in the seventh round of some mocks. In other words, this is a reach, but we’re in the fifth round, so something like this isn’t worthy of a Millen grade – but it’s close.
Arizona Cardinals: Xavier Thomas, DE, Clemson – B+ Grade
Xavier Thomas is a project, so this is the right time to select him. He’s very fast and athletic, but didn’t produce very much at Clemson. Perhaps the Cardinals can turn him into something good. There isn’t too much risk here in the fifth round.
Washington Redskins: Jordan Magee, LB, Temple – C Grade
I’m not crazy about this pick, as I had Jordan Magee slotted as a late-round prospect. This reach isn’t very egregious, however, and it also makes sense for the Redskins to draft a linebacker. I imagine Magee is going to spend most of his career on special teams.
Los Angeles Chargers: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame – A+ Grade
The Chargers reached for a cornerback a couple of picks earlier, but they’re getting a major steal with this selection. Cam Hart was a second-day prospect, so it’s shocking that he fell to the fifth frame. It wouldn’t be surprising if Hart ends up becoming a good starter for the Chargers in the near future.
Buffalo Bills: Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia – A Grade
The Bills said goodbye to their long-time center Mitch Morse recently, so they needed to find a new player at the position. Sedrick Van Pran could be a solid starter in the near future, as he projects as a quality pass protector.
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State – B Grade
Anthony Gould has some big-time speed, but he’s very small at 5-8, 174. I suppose this is just a special teams pick, but Gould should have been chosen at least one round later. Still, I wonder if this is a reaction to the new kickoff rule, so the Colts could be getting ahead of the curve.
Atlanta Falcons: JD Bertrand, LB, Notre Dame – B+ Grade
JD Bertrand improvd his draft stock in 2023 when showing improved coverage skills. He’s a tackling machine who should play two downs in the NFL at the very least. This is a solid pick, as Bertrand could have easily gone a round earlier.
Chicago Bears: Austin Booker, DE, Kansas – A Grade
I love that the Bears traded back into the 2024 NFL Draft to obtain a pass rusher, given that they don’t have much in that department outside of Montez Sweat. Austin Booker was a productive player at Kansas, and I thought there was a chance he’d go in the third round.
Denver Broncos: Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri – A Grade
The Broncos didn’t have much at cornerback aside from Patrick Surtain, so they had to address the position. Kris Abrams-Draine has a chance to become a starter in the future, as he was a potential third-round pick, so I like this value.
Tennessee Titans: Jarvis Brownlee, CB, Louisville – A+ Grade
The Titans had some major problems at cornerback last year. They signed some players, but needed one more player at the position. We considered Jarvis Brownlee to be a third-round prospect, so this is a major steal. Brownlee is talented enough to challenge for a job early in his career.
Denver Broncos: Ausric Estime, RB, Notre Dame – A Grade
Here’s another value pick in the fifth round, as Audric Estime could have been selected toward the end of Day 2. Audric Estime is a powerful, downhill runner who should be able to complement Javonte Williams well. Williams has a recent ACL tear, so some insurance was needed.
Las Vegas Raiders: Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State – B+ Grade
Tommy Eichenberg is a two-down linebacker who will help the Raiders improve against the run. The Raiders already had the great pass rush, but they needed to improve versus the rush. Eichenberg, who could have gone a bit earlier than this, will bolster that area.
Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Newton, CB, TCU – A Grade
The Bengals were hoping to land Max Melton earlier, but here’s another cornerback who will help their ailing secondary. Josh Newton was considered a Round 3-4 prospect, so this is a solid value pick for Cincinnati, which also fills a big need.
New Orleans Saints: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina – A+ Grade
Here he is! Spencer Rattler had second-day talent, but he apparently dropped because he appeared cocky and arrogant on some reality TV show he filmed a long time ago. Perhaps he’s grown up since then, and if so, he’ll be a promising successor for Derek Carr. You have to love the upside.
Indianapolis Colts: Jaylon Carlies, S/LB, Missouri – C+ Grade
This seems like another special teams pick to me. The Colts could have selected Jaylon Carlies later, as he’s a safety-linebacker tweener who doesn’t have a natural position in the NFL.
Philadelphia Eagles: Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M – A Grade
The Eagles are having an outstanding draft, and this is another great pick. Ainias Smith could have been chosen in the third round. He’s undersized (5-9, 191), but he’s a quick and shifty route-runner.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Deantre Prince, CB, Ole Miss – B Grade
Deantre Prince is a speedy cornerback who needs to really bulk up to avoid injuries. We had him pegged here in the fifth round, so he fits the range. He also satisfies as need, as the Jaguars had some major problems stopping the pass last year.
Los Angeles Rams: Brennan Jackson, DE, Washington State – B+ Grade
Brennan Jackson could have gone a round or maybe even two earlier than this, so I love the value the Rams are getting with him in the middle of the fifth frame. Jackson, considered a sleeper by some of Charlie’s sources, fills a need as an edge rusher for the Rams.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson – A Grade
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.’s father was a great player for the Eagles. Trotter Jr. has some athletic limitations, but he was a stellar player for Clemson who could end up being a decent player for Philadelphia. Trotter may have to spend a lot of time on special teams, but there’s some potential. Trotter could have gone a round or two earlier than this, so you have to love the value.
Cleveland Browns: Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville – B- Grade
Eagles fans have to feel nostalgic with Trotter and Thrash going back to back. Jamari Thrash isn’t quite as good of a prospect as Trotter, but he makes sense in the fifth-round range. He made some big plays in Louisville, and he’ll provide needed depth at receiver for Cleveland.
Carolina Panthers: Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington State – A Grade
I thought Chau Smith-Wade could have gone in Round 3, so I love this value. This also fills a need, as Carolina traded Donte Jackson for Diontae Johnson. Smith-Wade is undersized, but projects as a solid nickel corner.
Miami Dolphins: Mo Kamara, DE/OLB, Colorado State – A Grade
Here’s another stellar value pick in the fifth round. Mo Kamara appeared in the third round of my mock at times, so he’s a steal here in the middle of the fifth frame. Kamara is a dangerous pass rusher, which was needed for the Dolphins after losing so many front-seven players this offseason.
Kansas City Chiefs: Hunter Nourzad, C, Penn State – B Grade
I like Hunter Nourzad as a fourth-round prospect going in the fifth. The Chiefs have a terrific center, but they lost a key backup this offseason, so they needed an insurance policy. This is a good one.
Buffalo Bills: Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB, Washington – B Grade
The Bills needed a linebacker after losing players at the position in free agency. Edefuan Ulofoshio makes sense here at the end of the fifth round. He’s a raw player, but has plenty of potential, so perhaps he can be a starter one day.
Washington Redskins: Dominique Hampton, WR, Washington – B Grade
Any secondary player makes sense for the Redskins, given how poor they were against the pass last year. I figured Dominique Hampton would go around the Round 4-6 range, so he’s a logical pick for the Redskins, though he’ll play mostly on special teams this year.
Arizona Cardinals: Christian Jones, OT/G, Texas – A+ Grade
Finally. Christian Jones was expected to go in the third round, but he inexplicably fell to the bottom of the fifth. Christian Jones blasted open big lanes for Bijan Robinson and can be a terrific run blocker in the NFL. Jones, who can play right tackle or guard, should provide Arizona with solid blocking depth to begin his career, and he could eventually emerge as a starter.
Green Bay Packers: Jacob Monk, G/C, Duke – D Grade
We’ll have to investigate why the Packers traded up for Jacob Monk because he was considered as a late-round prospect or a UDFA player. Jacob Monk can play center or guard, but he looks like a backup at best in the NFL.
Indianapolis Colts: Jaylin Simpson, S, Auburn – A+ Grade
I love Jaylin Simpson as a prospect. He’s a highly instinctive safety who can challenge for a starting job right away. Simpson needs to bulk up, but this is a great pick, as I thought Simpson could be chosen in the third round.
Baltimore Ravens: Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall – B Grade
This isn’t a major steal like some of Baltimore’s other picks, but it’s a solid choice. Derrick Henry’s not the long-term answer, so Baltimore had to find a potential successor. Rasheen Ali is a tough runner who makes sense in the fifth round.
New York Giants: Tyrone Tracy, RB, Purdue – B Grade
Here’s another solid running back pick in the fifth round. Tyrone Tracy was highly productive at Purdue, including as a pass-catcher. The Giants lost a big part of their passing game with Saquon Barkley leaving, so perhaps Tyrone Tracy can take on that role. Running back was an obvious need.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Keilan Robinson, RB, Texas – D Grade
I’m not giving out a Millen grade for a fifth-round pick, but this is close. Keilan Robinson barely played at Texas, and he was seen as a UDFA player. He doesn’t even fill a need. What a waste.
Buffalo Bills: Javon Solomon, DE, Troy – B+ Grade
Javon Solomon is a terrific pass rusher who would have gone much earlier than this if he weren’t undersized. Solomon won’t be able to play a ton of snaps in the NFL, but he’ll be impactful as a designated pass rusher, which is something the Bills needed to acquire.
Green Bay Packers: Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State – B Grade
Addressing the secondary is essential for the Packers, so I like the decision to draft someone like Kitan Oladapo late in the fifth round. Oladapo was pegged as a fifth-round prospect, so he’s a logical fit in this range as a current backup and special-teamer.
New Orleans Saints: Bub Means, WR, Pittsburgh – B Grade
Bub Means helped himself at the combine with a fast 40 because there were questions about his separation skills. This is a fine pick for the Saints, who needed to acquire a receiver with Michael Thomas gone.
New York Jets: Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State – B Grade
The Jets traded Zach Wilson, so they needed to find a long-term answer after Aaron Rodgers retires. Jordan Travis is coming off a horrible lower-leg injury, but it’s not like he’s going to have to play any time soon, so the Jets will be able to develop him.
Philadelphia Eagles: Trevor Keegan, G, Michigan – A- Grade
No one should be surprised that the Eagles are drafting an offensive lineman. Trevor Keegan was a steady and solid guard for Michigan for three seasons. He’s a stout run blocker, but must improve in pass protection. He’ll have time to do that sitting behind some talented starters. He could have gone a round or even two earlier than this.
New York Jets: Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State – C- Grade
Another running back doesn’t make much sense, especially if it’s not a great value. Isaiah Davis handled a big workload at South Dakota State, but the Jets should have been drafting wide receivers and tight ends for Aaron Rodgers.
Dallas Cowboys: Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest – A- Grade
No receiver, no running back, but a great value at the end of the fifth round. Caelen Carson has some speed concerns, but was a prospect who could have been considered in the third round. He’s a tough and gritty cornerback who could emerge as a starter in Dallas.
New Orleans Saints: Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas – D Grade
The Saints must have used all their energy selecting Spencer Rattler because this pick is very underwhelming. Jaylan Ford is a seventh-round or UDFA prospect, so it’s puzzling as to why they would choose him at the end of the fifth round.
New York Jets: Qwant’tez Stiggers, CB, Canada – B- Grade
Qwant’tez Stiggers made a name for himself on the top-30 visit circuit. He was seen as a fifth-round prospect, so he makes sense here – except for the fact that the Jets have a stacked defense and a limited offense that is starving for play-makers.